Foot-scraper or boot-cleaner



R. J. TRUMBULL.

FOOT SGRAPBR 0R BOOT CLEANER.

No Model.)

Patented Jan. 5

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. TRUMBULL, OF SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA.

FOOT-SCRAPER OR BOOT-CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,590, dated January 5, 1897. Application filed April 6, 1896. Serial No. 586,400. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J TRUMBULL, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Rafael, in the county of Marin and State of Oalifornia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foot-Scrapers or Boot and Shoe Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for cleaning boots and shoes such as are constructed to be placed at the doors of dwellings and other buildings; and the invention consists of an improved device of the kind composed of two uprights carrying a scraper of metal and a wiper of india-rubber fixed in position by lugs upon the outside of and above a metal tray and having qualities of adjustment therein and curved spring-brushes which are set to meet centrally behind the heel of the boot or shoe and wipe the sides of the same as the sole is drawn against the two scrapers and between the springs, these parts being combined with a metal tray to receive the scrapings.

The following description explains at length the construction of the said device, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, that form part of this specification.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved foot scraper and cleaner. Fig. 2 is a plan or top View of the same, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

A represents a tray having lugs a a on the sides to receive the standards or uprights B B, the edges of which are beveled to fit and lock in the lugs, the tray thus forming a suitable base for the scraper and a receptacle for the scrapings. The standards can be removed for the purpose of emptying the tray of accumulated dirt when the tray is fastened down in place.

Between the standards B Bis fixed a metal scraper 0, set on edge, and a block of rubber D is fixed in position at a short distance behind the scraper by means of a grooved cross bar or plate E, the said block being confined and securely held between the upright sides of such plate by making the block somewhat thicker than the channel and forcing it into place. The outer side of this channel-iron is made higher than the inner side in order to prevent the rubber from buckling. Should the rubber become worn by constant use below the line of the metal scraper, it is raised up by means of a strip of wood 0?, placed in the bottom of the channel under the rubber block, as shown in Fig. 3. As thus constructed and arranged not only is the bottom of the boot or shoe cleanly scraped by means of the metal scraper, but the sole is wiped also by being drawn over the edge of the rubber' block.

The spring-arms E E for cleaning the sides of the boot or shoe are connected to the standards by the lugs 12 12, into which the ends of the arms are dovetailed, and the arms are curved rearwardly and bent inwardly, so that the ends come close together at the rear. 011 the inner faces of the arms are fixed brushes E E, either composed of bristles or of animal or vegetable fiber. By this arrangement of springs and brushes the whole of both sides of the boot or shoe is engaged and cleaned at one operation, as the heel is engaged first by the meeting ends of the spring-brushes, followed by the sides and edges of the sole, until the whole sole is deprived of its mud or dirt, which-falls into the tray to be removed at pleasure.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- In a boot and shoe cleaner the combination with the tray, of the removable vertical standards carrying the metal scraper, the rubber block and the curved spring-brushes, as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

ROBERT J. TRUMBULL. a 8.]

Witnesses:

O. W. M. SMITH, M. REGNER. 

